Monday, December 16, 2013

Must Be "Danta"

Riley refers to Santa as "Danta" and has been joining in the Christmas fun all month; decorating the tree, singing Christmas songs, crafting, baking cookies, finding our Elf on the Shelf, Elmer, each morning...it has all been exciting.

Elmer Elf made his debut on December 1st with a North Pole Breakfast!

Christmas is so special when you watch it through a child's eyes. Counting down to the big day is bittersweet. Not that it is a let down on the 25th, but it is somewhat sad that the excitement ends after that day. At the same time, there is so much to look forward to and so much to be thankful for--and I hope that both of my children continue to find the Christmas spirit the rest of the year.

If you follow me on IG, you have seen Elmer Elf playing his tricks!

At "Snow World"

We love walking the neighborhood at this time of year!

New Christmas PJs!

Three of Santa's Helpers.

Sierra found our tree in seconds...Chargers were about to kick off.

Silly Elmer!

With all of the excitement around "Danta," I thought MAYBE there was a chance that Riley would smile a little bit when placed on his lap. WRONG. We first met him and Mrs. Claus at the Swim and Racquet Club's Holiday Happy Hour. Riley and Jackson enjoyed the songs that Mr. and Mrs. Claus sang. Jackson even got into the Christmas Spirit and put his arm around a little girl he didn't know...

And then it was time to sit on The Lap. No Go. Immediate "tears" from Riley. I ended up sitting with her and she still screamed to get off.

A week later, and lots of Christmas moments later...the mall Santa. I promised bribed the kids that we could ride the train after if they both smiled. Santa chatted with the kids for at least five minutes, took a perfect photo with Jackson, and then invited Riley to sit on his lap. She said, "No." Then I asked her to stand next to him. She again declined. So I did what any mean mommy would do--I sat her on his lap. More "crying" (no tears), and we had our annual photo ...and a "choo-choo" ride.